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Temperatures are reaching 30C and England face Sweden in the World Cup on Saturday – what better excuse to light up the barbecue this weekend.

While old-school grilling is done over flame, gas barbecues are increasing in popularity. Some traditionalists bemoan the absence of coal or wood, but there are several reasons why gas is in.

Though gas barbecues tend to be more expensive, they are more convenient, lighting up far quicker and more easily (no fiddling about trying to get the coals going). You'll reach cooking temperature much faster, and are more likely to achieve an even heat distribution.

The gas canisters can last a long time, too, so you're unlikely to run out during a cooking session. And cleaning is also easier.

How does a gas BBQ work?

Gas grills use propane or natural gas, usually from a canister plugged into the BBQ. You can then regulate the amount of gas used to fuel the fire, and spark it up with a flame.

Though gas barbecues take less time to heat up, you should still make sure you preheat them - 10 to 15 minutes will do. This will allow the grill to heat, helping you get those longed-for grill marks, as well as preventing food from sticking.

Is gas environmentally friendly?

According to Greener Ideal, charcoal barbecues are "the least eco-friendly of all barbecues," due to carbon dioxide emissions. Gas is "considerably greener".

Buying refillable gas tanks will help reduce waste.

But is the final product as tasty?

According to The Telegraph's Ed Cumming, gas barbecues provide just as much flavour. While some claim a lack of smoky goodness, gas, particularly for slow cooking, provides "much easier control", crucial as slow cooking is all about temperature control.

Charcoal does provide more smoke than gas, but you'll still get smoke from those fatty meat drippings with a gas BBQ.

Gas provides more steam than charcoal, which many say keeps the meat moister, though potentially less crisp.

Which gas barbecue should I buy?

We put the best gas barbecues through their paces to help find the right model for you.

All barbecues were tested by Xanthe Clay.

1. Napoleon Triumph 495

Beautifully made with really heavy grills, and plenty of space, including a useful cupboard underneath. An optional extra is the charcoal plate which you can load up with charcoal, place over the gas flame to light and then turn off the gas once it is going – so you can cook on gas or charcoal. Napoleon also make built-in barbecues that can be hooked up to the main gas supply – no more hideous gas cylinders. Comes with free rotisserie and cover.

2. Landmann Midas 3 burner gas BBQ

This smart red unit has good solid grills and packs a serious punch, power wise – careful, you’ll want to keep those burners low. It’s got a built in thermometer, a cupboard designed to keep the gas canister in (most manufacturers advise against this) and feels pretty solid to boot.

3. B&Q Ultar 4 burner gas barbecue

A good price for an impressive looking barbecue with four burners, and lots of space for a big party. The pay off is that it doesn’t have quite the power that the more expensive gas BBQs do, plus there’s no thermometer and the grids are flat and lightweight so don’t sear as satisfyingly as cast iron ones do. But you are getting a lot of BBQ for your money.

4. Landmann 2-burner gas barbecue

This might be so lightweight it feels like it came out of a cracker but the burners deliver serious heat, in the centre of the grill anyway – the edges are cooler. The viewing window is a great addition for novice barbecuers (you can watch those peppers blister), and while it probably won’t last a lifetime it’s easy to lift for storage. A bargain if you pick it up at the special offer price.

5. Cadac Carri chef 2

More of a gas-powered griddle than an traditional BBQ, but this is the one recommended by camping expert Josh Sutton, aka the Guyrope Gourmet, and he should know. Ultra transportable and sturdy, it works as a hob as well, and you can put the lid on to do “indirect” low and slow cooking.

6. Weber Q1200

Like all Weber products this table-top BBQ is a reliable bit of kit and easy to put together. It’s also genuinely portable thanks to the mini gas canister and a construction that is lightweight apart from the good solid grills. Puts on a good show of heat for lid-up grilling as well as fairly low heat for low-and-slow cooking, although with just the one burner you won’t be able to cook indirectly.